Spinach artichoke dip has to be one of the most popular appetizers around, as evidenced by the fact that so very many restaurants include some variation on their menu. Its popularity is understandable considering how decadent and irresistible it is. Really, I seem to find myself powerless to its charms. As a kid I doubt I would have touched it with a ten foot pole since it contained artichokes. I hope this mentality still holds with some today – more for me! Whether having it as a “main dish” during a night of drinks with friends or using it as a starter for a full meal, I have no self control around this dip. I will be serving this as a pre-Thanksgiving appetizer and I am hoping my various kitchen tasks will keep me busy enough to refrain from demolishing it before everyone else.

I used to have a recipe for spinach artichoke dip that was very tasty, but it called for jarred alfredo sauce and since I don’t buy that for any other purpose, I decided to come up with a version that didn’t require a special and somewhat expensive ingredient. I searched a lot of my most trusted recipe sources first, but none of the versions I found sounded like what I was going for. This is what I whipped up and after having tweaked it a bit, it’s now ready to be shared and shared often. If your hips hate me, I sincerely apologize.

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400˚ F. In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, Parmesan, sour cream, mayonnaise, spinach, artichokes, roasted garlic, salt and red pepper flakes. Mix well with a rubber spatula until all ingredients are evenly blended. Spread into a small baking dish (I used a gratin dish). Sprinkle additional grated Parmesan over the top if desired. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the top is slightly browned. Serve warm with baguette slices, pita chips, crackers, etc.

*To roast individual cloves of garlic, I just throw the unpeeled cloves into a baking dish or pan and bake at 350˚ F for 25-30 minutes. Let cool before squeezing the cloves from the peels.

Mmm spinach and artichoke… Some of my favourite flavours! This looks terrific!

HB

I just made Brown Eyed Baker’s version and everyone absolutely loved it. Hadn’t used cream cheese in it before this recipe. Served mine with sea salt bagel crisps. I’m definitely going to try yours as well! Love roasted garlic! Have lots of holiday parties coming up for it & lots of spinach artichoke lovers as well!

I cannot wait to try this, maybe I will make it this weekend to “try” it out before serving it on Thanksgiving. You had me at cream cheese :)

Jackie

I’m new to your blog and I absolutely love it!! I read through all your recipes yesterday and have so many I can’t wait to try out! Thanks so much for posting this, spinach artichoke dip is my favorite and I can’t wait to make this recipe on the weekend for friends. Have a wonderful day, J.

The quantity of comments on this speaks highly of its appeal. I’m sure you know that you can get frozen artichoke hearts. They are a superior product to canned, although they do need cooking first (just in the microwave for a few minutes). Ironically Peter and I decided just this morning to have our Thanksgiving dinner in the evening and make appetizers and hors d’oeuvres to pick at at lunch time. This one is a real possibility. Thanks.

Annie

Yes, I do know frozen are supposedly available but I don’t think my store carries them. I have looked so many times and no dice!

Ohhhh, no you didn’t. This is trouble. Spinach artichoke dip is one of my guilty pleasures. I would love to make this for Thanksgiving, but I would eat half of it before anyone got there. Not gonna lie.

Melissa

Can you make this ahead of time by freezing it? Would you bake it first?

Annie

Yes, I’m freezing in advance for Thanksgiving. No, don’t bake until you want to serve it.

Wonderful timing for me to check your blog as I was looking to find a recipe for this dip….thanks so much for sharing…I can’t wait to make it!

Kimiko

So due to some unexpected events, I just found out TODAY that Thanksgiving is moved to my place! Thank goodness for your Thanksgiving planning tips, those posts are going to save my life this upcoming week! I will definitely be putting this dip on my menu.

Thanks for this recipe! I’ve always been afraid to try making this dip and it was *fantastic*!! I made it for a dinner party last night and it was a huge hit. I was hoping to have more of it left over than I did! Thanks again for sharing this fabulous recipe!

I love that this! My recipe also called for the alfredo sauce. I will have to try this out for sure! YUM!

Yi

I use so many of your recipes, so I just want to drop a line and say thank you :)

Kate

Annie, Can you make this ahead of time? If so, how would you suggest going about it?

Annie

Please read the other comments, this question has been addressed.

Sasha

It is my favorite dip! I know you are not a fan of low-fat substitutes but here you can safely use low-fat sourcream and mayo: I tried and it works well. I also add some cubed mozzarella. Thank you for your wonderful blog, I always try something from your recipes!

THANK YOU!!! I made this this weekend with my family at the Oregon Coast. It was the perfect snack between clamming and dinner! I just used with club crackers because those were easier to transport!!

Katie

This is perfect! We were asked to bring an appetizer as our contribution to Thanksgiving. How many people do you think this would serve? Also is freezing the night before necessary or would refrigeration work just as well?

Annie

With things like dip I find estimation of number of servings nearly impossible which is why I haven’t listed any. You can just refrigerate the night before.

mary kate

I made this for dinner tonight as a side with TLC crackers (hey, it’s the holidays! :). It was delicious and not too heavy or greasy like other recipes I’ve tried. I love the chunks of cream cheese throughout. I really enjoy your blog!

Erica

YUMM! I can’t tell you how much everyone RAVED about this appetizer on Thanksgiving. It was delish!

Sonia

Excellent recipe! We added some chopped water chestnuts that gave a good crunch element to the dip. Thanks for sharing.

katemparham

This dip looks amazing. It’s definitely a step up from my artichoke dip.

I’ll definitely be trying this next time. Thanks for sharing!

Sue E

Thank You so much for this recipe – made this for Thanksgiving and everyone loved it! This is THE.BEST.SPINACH.DIP.EVER!

This was a huge hit at Thankgiving but I didn’t let anyone take any left overs home, I kept this all for myself! YUM!

Nancy

I doubled this recipe, mixed it up the night before, and baked it an hour before a big family birthday party, and it was a hit! Kids and adults alike were enjoying it. I have enough faith in the recipes that you share, that I am willing to try it first time on a large group. Thanks so much! :)

My husband, who normally doesn’t like spinach and/or artichoke dip really enjoyed this! Often this dish is overwhelmed by mayo but your version isn’t. Thanks for a great recipe!

Colleen

I made this tonight and it was amazing! My brother told me to save the recipe… thank-you for sharing.

Katie

I made this last night to bring to NYE gathering. It was devoured and raved about; they loved the kick that the red pepper flakes gave it. Thanks so much Annie!!

Czarina

Hi Annie! I tried this recipe with my boyfriend over our winter break because we love love love spinach and artichoke dip and finally decided it was time to make our own. It was absolutely delicious and was a hit with my family and his. Also I thought you should know that I when I read your “about Annie” and found out you started cooking in college while at med school, you have inspired me to cook as well since I’m in college too and I’m going to Physician Assistant school. I’ve shared your blog with all of my friends and they all love it. Thanks for everything :)

Susan

Wowsers! I’ve just discovered this blog and can’t wait to try this recipe! I’m taking a break right now from making your raspberry-swirl cheesecake cupcakes. Yum!

Made this for a group get together this weekend and it was phenomenal. Everyone was told to bring two of their favorite appetizers. I doubled the recipe because there were 16 people there but came home with about half so we had some with lunch the next day. So easy to make and everyone said it was one of the best spinach and artichoke dips they have ever had. Thanks for taking the time to perfect this recipe I will be using it regularly.

Just printed this one to try today. My family loves this dip. Thank you!!

jennie

Had this for a Thanksgiving app then lacked room in stomach for the rest of the food! I think we’ll table it for another get-together. It’s too good to just have a little bit!

Sarah

I made this last weekend for a baby shower, it is amazing. Finally a recipe for this popular appetizer that is easy and fantastic. Thanks so much Annie!

HB

Planning on making this wknd — I’ll make that fresh — made it before & loved it! Did u freeze in your serving dish & bake straight out of the freezer & add baking time or let it sit out a bit? Thinking the fridge would be straight to the oven plus extra baking….

annieseats

Yep, I think I went from freezer to oven in the same baking dish and just baked until it was as hot as I wanted. Enjoy!

Was looking for a spinach and artichoke dip recipe for a very last minute Halloween party and checked my go-to: Annie’s Eats. I can always count on your recipes to be a hit without having to test them first! This dip was amazing and easy. I did add a bit more garlic (mostly because I had a hard time getting it out of the peel, next time I’ll know what I’m doing). Other than that I followed your recipe to a T and it was a HUGE hit! Delicious. Adding this to my party/dinner party repertoire right away!

Sandy

I’m so happy to be reunited with this recipe! I made this for the first time three years ago when being introduced to my (then) new husband’s large family. I had made some alterations at the time, adding sauteed garlic (no time to roast them) and adding pepper jack cheese to the top. It had made a great impression. And to my sorrow, I had lost the recipe. I’ve been trying every recipe I get my hands on and making adjustments to try to re-create the recipe. But none of them were quite right. I’m excited to use the roasted garlic this time. The family is going to be so happy. Thank you so much for this recipe!

Shannon

Can this be reheated?

Annie

Sure!

Nicole Freeman

I’ve been following your blog since my junior year of high school (a little before this post was written) and this is one i come back to over and over again. It’s a family favorite (has been present at just about every thanksgiving since it went up) and has been a constant crowd pleaser at bbqs/football games/anything in between. in fact, I just made a batch tonight (and froze it) along with some of your pitas to bring to a BBQ Friday night – a very belated thanks for a timeless recipe, and several years of wonderful recipes overall!